Efficacy of immunostimulants against inclusion body hepatitis in broilers

The present investigation was carried out on one hundred twenty five day-old broiler chicks divided into five equal groups. The birds of group 1 served as negative control. The birds of group 2 were given Nutrigrow @ 5 g/100 chicks/day for 10 days followed by Protoface @ 20 g/1000 chicks/day from 11^th to 20^th day of age along with normal feed and from 21^st day they were given Profitaze @ 50 g/1000 birds in evening water. After challenge, the chicks were given Protoface @ 200 g/1000 birds per day in water for 7 days. The birds of group 3 were given Protoface only before infection. The birds of group 4 were given Protoface @ 200 g/1000 chicks/day only after infection. The birds of group 5 were kept as positive control. The mortality rate of group 2 was lowest i.e. 16% whereas that of group 5 was 56%. Treated birds showed significant increase in Hb, TEC, PCV and TLC values along with non-significant increase in MCV, MCH and decrease in MCHC as compared to infected control. AST, ALT, AP and CK levels were significantly lower in all treated groups than infected control. The mortality rate of treated group was lower than that of infected control. Protoface and Profitaze were found to have stimulatory effects on growth and immune response in broilers during outbreak resulting in reduced mortality.